So the domestic one day cup has finished and we are heading into 3 rounds of shield cricket before the Ashes. Neither Australia or England have been dominate of late so it could be an interesting series. My team for the 1st test depending on form in these 3 shield rounds:
Warner
renshaw
khawaja
Smith
Hanscomb
Ferguson
Nevil
Cummings
Starc
Hazelwood
Lyon

An interesting few rounds of the shield coming up with a few spots up in the air. Will be watching with interest.

Good side for Australian conditions. Three quicks and Lyon. Ussy bats well here with the ball bouncing and coming on. Not so well o/s.
I don't know so much about the all rounder. Will he get a bowl? Most Aussie all rounders don't and never go that well with the bat. No one will live up to Gilly's standards but looks like we are in a down period for wickies since Haddin retired.

Good side for Australian conditions. Three quicks and Lyon. Ussy bats well here with the ball bouncing and coming on. Not so well o/s.
I don't know so much about the all rounder. Will he get a bowl? Most Aussie all rounders don't and never go that well with the bat. No one will live up to Gilly's standards but looks like we are in a down period for wickies since Haddin retired.

Well the selectors said that the #6 will be picked based on their batting ability, although it would be handy if they can bowl.

There are plenty of candidates. Cartwright made 99 runs in the first shield match, so I put him in my team.

I think Aaron Finch could be a smokey for the spot.

With an attack of Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood, and Gary - You would imagine that they would do most of the bowling. If needed, you could drop Cartwright and put in one of the other bowlers in the squad because they can also bat pretty well.

Good side for Australian conditions. Three quicks and Lyon. Ussy bats well here with the ball bouncing and coming on. Not so well o/s.
I don't know so much about the all rounder. Will he get a bowl? Most Aussie all rounders don't and never go that well with the bat. No one will live up to Gilly's standards but looks like we are in a down period for wickies since Haddin retired.

Well the selectors said that the #6 will be picked based on their batting ability, although it would be handy if they can bowl.

There are plenty of candidates. Cartwright made 99 runs in the first shield match, so I put him in my team.

I think Aaron Finch could be a smokey for the spot.

With an attack of Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood, and Gary - You would imagine that they would do most of the bowling. If needed, you could drop Cartwright and put in one of the other bowlers in the squad because they can also bat pretty well.

For your six you either want a specialist batsmen or a batting all rounder not a bowler who bats well. Neville has to come in as keeper but SMith seems to like Wade for his talk even if he costs the team wickets. The 6 is still up in the air next two shield rounds will be an opportunity for someone to step up. Renshaw came from no where last year and has been fantastic so everyone is a chance (apart from maybe the Tasmanians after last weeks disgrace).

Cartwright is ordinary with both the bat and ball. Our obsession with an allrounder has become ridiculous. At least pick someone that can do one thing well

Just looking at Cartwright’s stats he has played 23 shield games and only bowled about 210 overs. I don’t think he is an all rounder just a batter who can bowl a bit and help rest the top 4 for a couple of overs. Whoever they pick it needs to be a batter if they can bowl that is a bonus.

Seven, Foxtel to control cricket broadcast rights after major shake-up

IT’S official: Channel Seven is taking over the cricket commentary box from Channel Nine. It leaves one burning question.

JUST picture it... Ashes, first Test. Day one. Mitchell Starc steams in from the long run to make a mess of the English opener’s stumps. Bruce McAvaney follows with an equally-precise delivery of his signature line: “Special!”

It’s not the sound of summer most cricket-loving Aussies are used to and, frankly, nor should it be.

But punters reckon McAvaney is just as likely as anyone else to man the microphones left deserted by Channel Nine’s commentary team following a landmark change to the Australian sporting media landscape to be announced this afternoon.

Channel Seven will take hold of the Test and international limited overs cricket from Channel Nine as well as the Big Bash, which Channel 10 will relinquish rights to. Foxtel will share the rights with the Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven network.

Wow. I rarely watch the one dayers and T20s but surprised they aren’t on free to air and can see the deal having to be renegotiated without them on free to air. Love test cricket and will always watch as much as I can.